1. London in the 1590s was a vibrant and expanding town
London in the 1590s was a vibrant and expanding town. It was most famous for theatre, as many composers like Shakespeare broke free of England’s past style of theatre.
The Elizabethan Era,

2. KWL
What do I know about the Elizabethan era? What do I want to know about the Elizabethan era?

3. Interesting facts !
Shakespeare introduced nearly 3000 words into the English language!
He was writing during what is considered the ‘golden age’ in English history
Queen Elizabeth 1 was the daughter of the murderous King Henry VIII (daughter of Anne Boleyn)
Elizabethan society was divided into a strict social order that included six classes, and law dictated what colour and kind of clothes each class would wear so they would be identifiable.
Nobody drank water – it was contaminated, unsafe to drink so many drank alcohol instead
Witch hysteria was prevalent
Superstitions ran high during this era

4. Key values, concerns and beliefs
Women were raised to believe they were inferior to men. Women of nobility were allowed an education. Women were mostly confined to domestic duties and to the household.
Men were responsible for working for the family and they generally held all of the power. Women were their ‘property’.
The Protestant religion was regarded very highly and had strict regulations.
Hierarchy of social classes ensured less rights for peasants in particular.
Punishment: Torture, exile and violent forms of punishment were most common for an assortment of crimes.
Humanism: A movement that had great influence during Shakespeare’s time – Humanists believed that man has the ability to shape his own future and destiny, and thus man has choice. They were against the religious teachings of the time (God has a plan that is controlled only by him).
Fate: Life is predestined and controlled by God or other forces. This contrasts to Humanism, and was a popular belief by religious thinkers.

5. What Shakespeare sought to challenge
Shakespeare lived in a time where many old and accepted ideas were being questioned, examined and interpreted. He both reinforced many ideas, while challenging others, including:
Honour: One could be challenged to duel over a perceived lie, a physical hurt or a slight insult.
Justice and revenge: It was commonplace in this period to believe that it was necessary to defend oneself and get true justice if one was mistreated.
Child-parent relationships: Children were absolutely subject to the decisions of their parents, including who and when to marry.
Obedience, hierarchy and order: Were prized and expected of all good citizens
Romantic, personal love: Shakespeare tried to challenge societal norms and expectations surrounding ‘correct’ parent matchmaking
Gender roles and expectations of men and women

6. Gender roles and expectations
Perception of females:
Women were emotional, and not capable of logical thought
They were to be beautiful and for others to enjoy
They were submissive to their husband’s or father’s rule.
Perception of males:
Leaders in society (patriarchal society)
Natural capacity for rational thought
Should be ‘manly’, dominant, strong, a defender of honour
Page 11 – Questions at the bottom

7. Elizabethan culture – love and marriage
Let’s read pages 12 and 13 of your ‘Romeo and Juliet’ booklets

8. Elizabethan era vs. 2017

9. Going back to our KWL thinking tool…
What do I know about the Elizabethan era?
What do I want to learn about the Elizabethan era?
What did I learn today about the Elizabethan era that I didn’t know before?

10. Key themes Write these down! Power of love Love vs. lust
Individual vs. society
Fate vs. choice/chance
Family and relationships
Societal expectations
Role of women
Conflict – internal, verbal and physical
Justice/revenge
Youth vs. age

11. Key motifs/symbols Write these down!
Light and dark (light = hope, love, happiness, but also easily burnt out vs. dark = secrecy, troubles, danger, etc)
Celestial imagery – related to the heavens/stars, usually a symbol of fate or destiny
Nature – to represent beauty, value, youth and potential

12. Individual task Due next Friday 3rd for homework:
Spelling (week 1 list) and sentences (10)
Conduct your own independent research into Shakespeare’s life in the Elizabethan period and create an A3 poster that visually depicts information about Shakespeare, and the Elizabethan period, including:
Historical/ Social/ cultural context – customs, marriage, punishment, hierarchy, religious beliefs, social values and expectations of men and women
Other interesting facts
Images